The Fastest (and Toughest) String Trimmers on the Market

A lawn isn't finished until it's trimmed. The right machines can transform a shaggy, unattractive mess into a crisp summer landscape. And as any suburbanite who has had a peaceful barbecue interrupted by the whine of a small engine can tell you, the tool to finish the job is the string trimmer. We tested a dozen for this article, from the most basic homeowner machine to pro models, and after three days of working on a lawn, an orchard and around overgrown fence rows, we think we have a good idea of which trimmers make the cut.

Ryobi SS30 RY30040A

Ryobi SS30 RY30040A

These outdoor power tools are relatively simple, but not benign. That's because the speed measured at the string's tip can run about 28,000 ft. per minute. One tester slipped as he trimmed and stripped the bark off a fine old lilac.

Cautionary notes aside, string trimmers are fun because they make short work of a difficult lawn care chore. We tested a dozen for this article, from the most basic homeowner machine to pro models. After three days of working on a lawn, an orchard and around overgrown fence rows, we think we have a good idea of which trimmer to choose for what kind of work.

Trimmer Shopping
The biggest factor to consider when choosing a trimmer is how much property you maintain. If you trim around a few flowerbeds and along your driveway, any of these machines will be adequate.

A rural homeowner with a long driveway, orchards, fence rows and outbuildings to keep neat is best served by a commercial trimmer. The power and reduced vibration these machines provide offset their higher cost. Commercial features such as a solid-steel driveshaft and a carefully balanced forged crankshaft reduce vibration; just as important, they improve the product's durability. Residential machines use a pressed-steel crank, and their engines are built to less exacting tolerances than those on commercial machines.

Suppose you have a suburban lot that's larger than an acre but you don't need a pro model. In that case, any of the machines we describe as Near-Pro should work well for you.

Engines
Most string trimmers today have two-stroke engines that burn the familiar gas/oil mix. Over the past several years, manufacturers have experimented, not always successfully, with four-cycle engines to give homeowners a string trimmer that takes the same fuel as their lawnmower or tractor. There may be an environmental benefit, too. Briggs & Stratton claims that its four-cycle engine reduces emissions by 70 percent compared to two-stroke technology. We did notice that four-cycle trimmer engines are larger and heavier than their two-stroke counterparts. And you have to remember to keep the crankcase filled. We learned that these engines are clean burning and easy to start.

You'll also notice a new type of engine—a four-cycle that runs on the gas/oil mix. Our only representative in this class is the Shindaiwa.

The Starting Line
If you have a gripe with starting cranky two-stroke or four-cycle engines, then look for machines that ease startup with a spring-loaded mechanism or a sequential start. One example is the Homelite. It requires you to prime, set the choke to the fully closed "A" position, squeeze the throttle trigger, then pull the recoil handle until the trimmer attempts to run. Move the choke to the "B" position and pull again. When the engine runs, shift the choke to the "C" position and leave it there while you work.

Other trimmers, such as the two-stroke Craftsman, the Stihl and the Echo, ease the starting burden by having you gently pull the recoil starter handle until you feel resistance. Then, complete the pull sequence more gently than you would with traditional machines. The initial pull loads a mechanism that then aids engine startup as it releases.

Shaft and Head Options
When it comes to the trimmer's shaft, your options are curved or straight. Almost all commercial trimmers and many consumer models have a straight shaft or are offered with both types of shaft. The testers preferred straight-shaft trimmers because the extra shaft length makes it easier to reach under shaggy evergreen boughs, and it puts a bit more distance between the operator and the debris that ricochets around the cut area. We found no distinct benefit to curved-shaft trimmers, although some users simply seem to find them more comfortable.

At the trimmer head, consider bump-feed versus fixed-line systems. Many people have reported problems with bump-feed line heads. As the name implies, you bump the trimmer head on the ground to activate a spring-loaded mechanism that pays out a fresh length of line from the spiral coiled in the head. The dirt, heat and constant banging can cause the line to jam. This requires you to stop, disassemble the head and refeed the line.

Manufacturers have made changes to prevent this problem. They partition the cavity of the head to ensure better line flow, such as on the Stihl, or they use a head with one or two pieces of short line clamped into place, such as on the Echo and on both Craftsman trimmers. Our advice: Go easy on single-compartment line heads (Honda and Bolens) and keep the head clean, inside and out.

Shindaiwa T2510

Shindaiwa T2510

Price: $370Engine: 25cc four-cycle/two-stroke hybridWhat we liked: This machine has power to spare, and it growls like a hot rod. A bonus is its easy-wind line head.Disliked: Was one of two trimmers for which no dislikes were noted, but it is expensive.